Teachers launch legal action over Novopay

TOM HUNT

Last updated 12:32 26/02/2013

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The secondary teachers' union is launching legal action to get compensation for the botched Novopay payroll system.

However, with the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) yet to survey its members to establish the full scope of the problem, it is not saying which organisation it will be seeking compensation from.

The Dominion Post understands legal action would either be taken against Novopay or the Education Ministry.

Taking action against school boards was unlikely, union President Angela Roberts said. It was unclear how much compensation would be sought.

"It is an unusual situation in that traditionally any action would be taken against a school's board as the employer, but in this case the boards are just as frustrated with Novopay as their staff.''

Compensation was being sought for the ''hurt, humiliation and financial suffering caused by the dysfunctional payroll system''.

The move comes after members met at the weekend and decided to take the collective legal action.

"Members' patience and goodwill has all but run out. Continued Novopay errors mean schools, students, principals and administration staff are at the end of their tether.

"Almost daily I am receiving reports from branches of the extent of errors that are short-changing thousands of our members and creating untold stress and personal financial instability for many."